The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round...
I haven't decided how I feel about
this idea but there are definitely some cynical thoughts rise to the surface.
The social-liberal side of me thinks that anything that helps get cars off the road and assists working folk to commute more efficiently is a great thing. It's good for the environment and the economy, so what's not to like?
The fiscal conservative in me, however, wants to know who is footing the bill. From what I gather, if they charge a normal fare (whatever that is) and there are some state/federal funds available (which is actually very likely), the City could be on the hook for $6,000 - 25,0000 per year. That's a wide range, but until you know the major funding and whether a surcharge would be added, we will be stuck with wide ranges for cost estimates.
There are a few tough issues that could be stumbling blocks:
Park and Ride. Not only will we need to figure out where commuters shoul park and where the bus should pick them up, we need to know who is going to provide this service and how. Maybe the Guildners want to rent some space. Or the spot of undeveloped land between Ace Hardware and our shiny new strip mall? How about we set aside a portion of Lake Leota now that we have so much land available there? Point is that this is over and above the cost of having a bus come down here four times a day.
Assuming that bus fares are a major part of the funding (and they darn well better be), you are stuck with a formula that requires the City to pony up more $$ if less people use the service. Fare revenues drop, the City has a deficit to make up. Given this, the Council and citizens need to pay very close attention to the details of whatever contract is drawn up and who is responsible for funding deficits. Federal and State grants are set amounts. It will be up to the Cities to determine who is financially responsible.
Speaking of deficits -- I pray to God that the Council members remember that they are negotiating with the
Poster Child of Madison Budget Busters. Madison Metro is notorious for being over budget and assuming that the City of Madison will bail them out (which they normally do). They view busing as a sacred right, not as a fee based service - hence the overlapping and inefficient route maps in Madison. The drivers are also some of the highest paid government employees in the State. Evansville needs to think carefully and critically before jumping on this buswagon.
So close...
Hats off to Janis! Coming that close to unseating an incumbent Republican in a conservative district is very admirable.
Memo to Assemblyman Davis -- please take last night as a message to return to the direction you began your first term with. A direction of independent leadership, not rank and file follower of the party, will gain you serve you and your district well.
Where's Willie?
Remember way back when - the first Bush launched a
successful ad attack against Dukakis that, although successful also brought howls from both parties about indecency and viciousness in political ads?
I've spotted three Willie's right here in Wisconsin this last weekend in ads run by:
Mark Green
Kathleen Falk
and Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce (against Falk)
There may be more. How many have you spotted?
Just plain pathetic...
Greater of two goods?
Not this time.
I dream of the day when I can look at a ballot and have a hard time choosing because both candidates have a lot to offer. But for this upcoming election, it is back to the same lesser of two evils approach.
Governor -- Jim Doyle. In spite of the labels and attacks on his integrity, Doyle has managed to take a horrendous deficit left to him by Thompson and McCallum and improve the State's economy. No big turn around, but that would have been near impossible. The fact that he didn't watch the deficit simply grow into a larger hole says a lot considering the Legislature seemed ready to do that. He has supported business growth (to the shock of his own party), raised a pitiful minimum wage, and steadfastly blocked the moral/wingnut legislation (concealed carry, anti abortion moves, etc.) Green has done little to distinguish himself as anything other than a cookie-cutter Republican and has little grasp on the facts behind issues (non-embryonic stem cell research, moving DWD to Milwaukee, no specific economic package).
Notice how the labels and negative charges are missing from the above? That's because they are both guilty of underhanded tactics, taking questionable donations, and giving the appearance of influence peddling. Frankly, I don't like either of them -- but Doyle has what it takes to do the job and that's got to be good enough for me.
Attorney General -- JB VanHolland. Surprised? Don't be - here is a case where my middle ground potlitics really shows. Falk has been at the forefront of left-winginess and comes off as the stereotypical Madison arrogant leftie. JBVH, though Republican, has not pushed a radical agenda and appears to be a more level headed, mainstream thinker. What we lose in environmental protections by getting JBVH, we will make up in not having frivolous lawsuits that I forsee Falk pursuing.
Assembly -- Janis Ringhand. Davis has shifted from an independent thinking legislator with a "R" tag, to a foot soldier of the Jensen/Gard brigade. Too bad - he had looked promising a few years ago. Janis looks to be a mainstream Dem and I personally know the conviction and talent she has in consensus building. She deserves the opportunity to put that to work.
